Christopher Evensen Arrested After Pointing Gun at Kids for Creating Wake Near His Boat in New Smyrna Beach

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the quiet coastal community of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 43-year-old Christopher Evensen faces multiple felony charges after allegedly pulling a handgun on a group of teenagers. The confrontation unfolded on the Intracoastal Waterway, a popular spot for boating and recreation, where a minor boating dispute escalated into a terrifying threat against minors.

Authorities arrested Evensen on October 4, 2025, following reports from the juveniles involved, who described feeling immediate fear for their lives. This event highlights ongoing concerns about boating etiquette, no-wake zones, and the dangers of unchecked anger on public waterways. The New Smyrna Beach Police Department (NSBPD) detailed the sequence of events in an official press release, emphasizing the severity of the threats made. The arrest comes at a time when Florida’s waterways are seeing increased traffic, with local enforcement stepping up patrols to prevent such escalations.

Evensen, a resident of Longwood, Florida, was operating a white Key West vessel when the altercation occurred. According to police reports, the incident began as a routine afternoon on the water but quickly turned volatile due to Evensen’s alleged frustration over boat wakes. No injuries were reported, but the psychological impact on the young victims remains a focal point for community discussions on water safety. As investigations continue, officials urge boaters to prioritize de-escalation and adherence to maritime rules to avoid similar tragedies.

The Incident on the Intracoastal Waterway

The confrontation took place around midday on Saturday, October 4, 2025, along the Intracoastal Waterway in New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County. This stretch of waterway, lined with mangroves and residential docks, serves as a vital corridor for recreational boaters, anglers, and families enjoying the mild fall weather. Several juveniles, aged 14 to 15, were operating a small vessel nearby when their movements allegedly generated a wake that approached Evensen’s boat. Witnesses and victims later told police that Evensen, piloting his 24-foot Key West model, immediately reacted with visible anger, shouting profanities and gesturing aggressively toward the group.

According to the NSBPD arrest affidavit, the teenagers reported that Evensen accelerated his boat to close the distance, positioning himself perilously close to their position. One of the victims recounted to investigators that Evensen yelled, “I’ll shoot you and watch you bleed out,” while reaching into his pocket and brandishing what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun with a silver and black finish. Cellphone footage captured during the incident, reviewed by officers, showed a man on the boat extracting an object resembling a firearm and waving it in the direction of the juveniles.

The video, described in the police report as shaky but clear enough to identify key actions, depicted Evensen pointing the weapon directly at the group for several seconds amid continued verbal threats. The Intracoastal Waterway in this area includes designated no-wake zones to protect shorelines, swimmers, and anchored vessels from excessive rocking. Experts note that wakes from passing boats can cause significant disruption, particularly in narrow channels, but violations are common among novice operators.

Read : 51-Year-Old Motel Manager Rakesh Ehagaban Shot Dead in Pittsburgh After Asking Gunman “Are You Alright?”

In this case, the juveniles admitted to police that they may have been speeding slightly, but emphasized that the response was disproportionate and life-threatening. A nearby boater, identified only as a witness in reports, observed the exchange and later corroborated the teens’ account, stating that Evensen’s boat trailed theirs aggressively for a short distance before the gun was displayed. This witness’s call to authorities initially alerted police to the boat ramp where the juveniles docked, providing crucial details that led to Evensen’s identification.

Read : 42,000 Women in Israel Apply for Gun Permits Amid War in Gaza

The rapid escalation underscores the fragility of tempers on the water, where isolation and adrenaline can amplify minor infractions. NSBPD officers arrived at the scene within 20 minutes of the initial report, interviewing the shaken teenagers who had sought safety at a public ramp. Their statements were consistent: the group felt targeted solely for their proximity and the unintended wake, with no prior interaction or provocation. This account formed the backbone of the investigation, prompting a swift search for Evensen’s vessel.

Police Response and Christopher Evensen’s Arrest

Responding to the boat ramp call around 1:30 p.m., New Smyrna Beach officers secured the area and took detailed statements from the five juveniles involved. The teens, all local residents out for a weekend outing, described the handgun as a compact model, possibly a 9mm, based on its appearance in the close-range encounter. Paramedics were on standby, though none of the victims required medical attention beyond emotional support. Investigators immediately reviewed the cellphone video, which confirmed the presence of a weapon-like object and captured audio of threats, including phrases like “back off or else” and the explicit warning about bleeding out.

With a description of the suspect’s boat—a white Key West with distinctive markings—patrols coordinated with Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies to scan nearby ramps and marinas. Within an hour, Evensen’s vessel was spotted being trailered onto a black Nissan Frontier pickup at a public access point south of the incident site. The vehicle was traced via license plate to a residence on Florida Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Officers approached the home cautiously, aware of the reported firearm, and made contact with Evensen around 3:00 p.m. He was detained without resistance after a brief conversation.

During questioning at the scene, Evensen acknowledged the verbal dispute, admitting he had “acted stupid” by yelling at the kids for cursing and creating the wake. However, he initially denied possessing or displaying a gun, claiming he owned no firearms. As the interview progressed, inconsistencies emerged; Evensen later recanted, admitting to carrying a concealed weapon but insisting it remained holstered and was not pointed at anyone. His fiancée, present at the home, echoed this denial, stating she had never seen him threaten minors. Despite these claims, the weight of victim testimonies and video evidence led to his handcuffing and transport to the Volusia County Branch Jail.

The arrest was executed smoothly, with no additional weapons found on Evensen or in his vehicle during a consensual search. Officers recovered the alleged handgun from the boat trailer, matching the description from the footage. This discovery solidified the case, as ballistics and serial number checks were initiated to verify its registration. NSBPD commended the juveniles for their composure in providing clear details, noting that their quick reporting prevented potential further pursuit on the water. The department’s rapid response time—under two hours from incident to apprehension—demonstrates effective inter-agency collaboration in a busy tourist season.

Charges, Bail, and Legal Implications

Christopher Evensen was formally charged with five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one for each juvenile victim, alongside a misdemeanor count of improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon under Florida Statute 790.10. These felonies carry severe penalties, including up to five years per count in state prison, fines exceeding $5,000, and mandatory firearm restrictions upon conviction. Aggravated assault is defined as an intentional threat to use a deadly weapon against another, placing them in reasonable fear of imminent harm—a threshold clearly met by the pointed gun and verbal threats.

Booked into Volusia County Branch Jail on the evening of October 4, Evensen’s initial bond was set at $25,500 during his first appearance. By October 7, records confirmed he had posted bail and was released pending trial, a decision that drew mixed reactions from locals. Prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Office for the Seventh Judicial Circuit are reviewing the case for potential enhancements, given the involvement of minors and the public nature of the waterway. No plea has been entered yet, but defense strategies may hinge on challenging the video’s clarity or arguing self-defense amid perceived reckless boating by the teens.

This case raises broader legal questions about maritime confrontations in Florida, where boating laws emphasize no-wake compliance but also protect against excessive force. The NSBPD press release on October 7 highlighted the incident as a reminder for all water users to report aggressive behavior immediately, underscoring that no wake justifies violence.

Community leaders in New Smyrna Beach, a haven for families drawn to its beaches and rivers, have called for expanded education on de-escalation, with the local marine patrol planning additional signage in no-wake areas. As the court date approaches, this arrest serves as a stark warning: on Florida’s shared waters, patience must prevail over peril.